Top Environmental Health Professor explains reality of rise in Punjab farm fires

Nov 11, 2026

Chandigarh: November 11, 2026: ANI: Speaking to ANI on incidents of stubble burning, Professor of Environmental Health in the Department of Community Medicine, Ravindra Khaiwal, said, "3,534 cases have been reported in Punjab, while 510 cases have been reported in Haryana. Compared to last year, this is the first time that an increase of 2 per cent in stubble-burning cases has been observed in Punjab. In contrast, there has been a 32 per cent decline in Haryana. This is the first time this season that we are seeing a surge in stubble-burning cases in Punjab. As for the increase in stubble burning around Diwali, this is a recurring trend...Thirdly, farmers often wait until after the satellite's scheduled pass to set the stubble on fire, usually late in the evening. All these instances are examples of opportunistic burning, carried out to avoid fines or official penalties... It is accurate to say that there was a peak in pollution during the night of Diwali, to which firecrackers certainly contributed... Regarding the contribution from stubble burning, depending on the prevailing wind direction and patterns, it can account for as much as 10 to 12 per cent."